Chapter 2: Methods

Question 1

What are some examples of ethical guidelines when manipulating emotions? (3)

Answer 1

1. Lab emotions must not surpass intensity of everyday emotions. 2. Induction should not be highly unusual. 3. Emotions must be alleviated before participants leaves.

Question 2

What system is commonly used when researchers want to induce emotions using images?

Answer 2

The International Affective Pictures System (IAPS).

Question 3

Why is IAPS used when researchers want to elicit emotions using images? (3)

Answer 3

1. It is standardized across cultures. 2. It can induce multiple responses. 3. It is useful for neuroimaging studies

Question 4

Why would researchers induce emotions using film rather than images? (2)

Answer 4

1. Because film can produce a more prolonged emotion. 2. Specific emotions (rather than just good or bad) can be elicited.

Question 5

Why might researchers not want to induce emotions using film?

Answer 5

Because it is difficult to isolate what exact property of the film is causing the effect.

Question 6

Why can music be used to elicit emotions?

Answer 6

Because certain features of music are associated with particular emotions.

Question 7

How can a researcher elicit emotions using memory?

Answer 7

By asking participants to remember an event that caused the emotion and attempt to relive that emotion.

Question 8

Why might a researcher not want to use memory to elicit emotions? (3)

Answer 8

1. Because it is not reliable. 2. Can’t study multiple outcomes. 3. Researcher demands characteristics, so there is a direct influence on the process.

Question 9

Why might a researcher want to use memories to elicit emotions?

Answer 9

It can produce a prolonged emotional state.

Question 10

How can a researcher use scripted interactions to induce emotions?

Answer 10

By using scripted interactions.

Question 11

What is a potential problem with using scripted interactions to induce emotions? (2)

Answer 11

1. It uses deception. 2. Participant may be suspicious.

Question 12

What are the positives in using scripted interactions to induce emotions? (2)

Answer 12

1. Realistic emotional states can be achieved. 2. Secondary emotions (i.e. guilt; shame) can be measured.

Question 13

How can researcher use naturally occurring emotions to study emotions? (2)

Answer 13

1. By using a quasi-experimental design and comparing to a control group. 2. Using the experience sampling method.

Question 14

What is the experience sampling method? (2)

Answer 14

1. Measuring emotions and other variables of interest as they are occurring in everyday life. 2. Can use ambulatory measures, psychophysiology, diary, computers, phones.

Question 15

What factors must be considered when deciding which method to use? (4)

Answer 15

1. Experimental demand (pxs. can’t know). 2. Standardization. 3. Complexity. 4. Ecological Validity.

Question 16

What is ecological validity?

Answer 16

How similar it is to real life experiences.

Question 17

What questionnaire was developed to measure emotions?

Answer 17

The Likert scale.

Question 18

What scheme is used when measuring facial expressions?

Answer 18

The Facial Action Coding Scheme.

Question 19

What are limits of facial recognition software? (2)

Answer 19

1. Only knows facial expressions that it was trained on. 2. Most facial expressions are based on the facial action coding scheme.

Question 20

What is a facial electromyography (EMG)?

Answer 20

When electrodes are placed on the surface of the skin.

Question 21

What does an EMG measure? What can it capture?

Answer 21

1. Electrical discharges caused by facial muscle contractions. 2. Can capture nonvisable movements associated with subtle or suppressed facial expression.

Question 22

What does an Electroencephalography (EEG) measure?

Answer 22

Changes in electrical potential of neurons.

Question 23

What is a drawback of an EEG?

Answer 23

It is not spatially precise.

Question 24

What is a positive of an EEG?

Answer 24

It can measure temporal responses.

Question 25

What does Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging measure?

Answer 25

Blood oxygenation in brain while participant completes a task.

Question 26

What is a positive of fMRI?

Answer 26

It can generate a relatively fine grained map of activity throughout the brain.

Question 27

What is a potential negative of fMRI?

Answer 27

It has less temporal precision than an EEG.

Question 28

The somatic nervous system is involved with what kind of movements?

Answer 28

Voluntary movements.

Question 29

What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 29

1. Sympathetic. 2. Parasympathetic.

Question 30

How can you measure the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 30

By using blood pressure, heart beat, pupil dilation, skin conductance, etc.

Question 31

What did Geschneider and Schwartz and Clore find out about studying emotions using memory recall? (3)

Answer 31

1. The way in which a memory is retrieved determines whether an emotion is felt. 2. Retrieving the emotion in a pallid way - not focusing on the emotion of the memory, but still accurately describing the situation doesn’t reactive the original emotion. 3. Retrieval that involves attention to the vivid emotional aspects tends to reactivate the original emotion.

Question 32

What is experience sampling?

Answer 32

Participants access the internet or use apps to complete questionnaires about their emotions throughout the day.

Question 33

What is interval-contingent responding?

Answer 33

Filling out computer based questionnaires at regular intervals throughout the day such as morning, noon, and in the evening.

Question 34

What is event-contingent responding?

Answer 34

Fill out questionnaires in response to specific types of events.

Question 35

What is signal-contingent responding?

Answer 35

Completing questionnaires whenever the palmtop computer signals them to do so.

Question 36

What is experimental demand?

Answer 36

How easy it is for experimental participants to guess what a study is designed to test.